“Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. … The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:7, 13 (ESV)

For over 400 years, the Israelites lived in Egypt. As the family of Joseph, they were welcomed into Egypt and given land to raise their flocks. As the years passed and the Israelites grew in number, the Egyptians forced the Israelites into slavery. Under brutal oppression, they cried out to the Lord.

God sent Moses* to lead them out of Egypt. But Pharoah didn’t want to release them. God caused a series of plagues to fall upon the Egyptians, but Pharoah hardened his heart. 

God told the Israelites to prepare for the last plague. They would kill a perfect lamb at the same time throughout the land where the Israelites lived in Egypt. They would paint the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and tops of their doorways. 

Do you see the blood dripping down the doorposts? Does it look like a cross?

At the same time, the Israelites ate the lamb and waited.

God passed over every blood-stained house. God passed over the unstained houses. The firstborn males in those houses that weren’t blood-stained died, including Pharoah’s son.

“Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. ‘Get out!’ he ordered. ‘Leave my people—and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the LORD as you have requested.’” 

Exodus 12:31 (NLT)

Release from slavery. Release to God. 

Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He releases us from our slavery to sin and frees us to live for Him. 

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Almighty God, You alone reign. You have given us vivid pictures of Your love. You are our freedom from this world of sin. Help us to see You at work in our lives and in the lives of Your people. Thank You for releasing us from our sins by sending Jesus as our Passover Lamb. Amen.

This Christmas, let’s celebrate the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.

Reflections

1. Read Exodus 12.
2. What do you learn about God in this Scripture?
3. How will you personalize this Scripture?

*Learn more about Moses beginning in Exodus 2.

Featured photo from Pexels.com